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Old 6th Jul 2019, 10:53 pm   #86
Lucien Nunes
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 2,508
Default Re: 13 amp fuse for 1.5mm mains flex?

The fuses normally specified for clock points, shaver adaptors and certain other mains power accessories are to BS646. These are 5 x 19mm and therefore technically distinct from the 5 x 20mm fuses popular within electronic goods. The breaking capacity of a BS646 fuse will have been certified as meeting the standard, whereas the breaking capacity of 5 x 20mm fuses varies.

I agree with the usage of low ratings of plug fuse for appliances that are not well protected internally, which usually means not made to modern standards. There are caveats though; even a 1A fuse will allow a consumer electronic device to dissipate over 300W for long enough to catch fire, so it is not a panacea for all possible overload scenarios. Also, I have found specimens of apparently reputable 1A fuses that were not silica filled, which probably had a higher let-through than filled types in the event of a short-circuit. (2A always seen to have been filled.)
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